OPINION
Greens: Sustainability and fairness on the agenda Another party that has seen upheaval this summer is the Green Party. Their new leader, Zack Polanski, has firmly taken hold of the reins and, according to polling, is steering them in what looks to be a very politically profitable direction. His promise of eco-populism has fuelled record high membership of the party, overtaking that of the Lib Dems, and this year’s conference was the coronation of this new leadership in front of the party faithful. The Green Party’s conference, also held in Bournemouth, was heavy on politics and somewhat light on what we would want to see: clear policies to promote an active travel revolution in the UK. That said, the party’s wider environmental agenda and historic support for cycling leave us eager to engage with this party. A fringe discussion on a “nature revolution” included
conversations about improving access to green and blue spaces. This is something Cycling UK will be increasingly championing over the next year, and the party is a clear ally on this cross-party issue. Overall, the conference reflected the Greens’ focus on embedding environmental responsibility across all policy areas, including transport, and we’re keen to see how cycling fits into Polanski’s vision of “eco-populism”.
Reform: Emphasis on freedom and choice Buoyed by recent UK-wide polls, a jubilant Reform Party congregated in Birmingham for their first full party conference. What they lack in elected officials, they made up for with a significant presence of party members showing up to support and hear the Party’s early plans and policies while Zia Yusuf and his panel of policy advisors work to refine them. The conference focused heavily on themes of freedom, unfairness and national identity. While cycling and walking didn’t feature in mainstage speeches and panel talks, the conference’s emphasis on personal choice and local decision-making offers potential entry points for conversations about cycling as a tool for independence, affordability and health. As the party continues to evolve and grow in prominence,
both Reform Mayors have now signed the joint mayoral pledge on active travel, which offers hope that they are recognising the common-sense offer of active travel. It’s not about pitting cyclists against drivers, but about ensuring real choice for people so that when they leave their front door, they aren’t faced with no other option but to drive. A theme that did recur at the conference was around
the Party’s support for small businesses. If coupled with a potential acknowledgement of the importance of active travel as a transport option, this could mean good things for bike shops, British manufacturers and distributors.
SUPER, ELITE & ECO SEALANTS
DIS TRIBU TED B Y Z Y ROF I SHE R B 2B. C O . U K 50 | November 2025
A changing political landscape The 2025 conferences show that cycling and walking now feature, at least to some extent, in every major party’s thinking about the economy, public health and the environment. The tone and emphasis differ, but there is a shared recognition that transport policy must give people genuine choices in how they travel, which is brilliant news for active travel and associated businesses. Cycling UK’s role is to keep ensuring that cycling and walking are seen not as niche issues, but as essential parts of modern transport planning. Whether framed around health, congestion, cost of living or community wellbeing, active travel delivers benefits that cross political divides. Through striving for due recognition of this by policymakers, Cycling UK can encourage a better environment for cyclists, encouraging uptake and demand for bikes and equipment.
Join us in making change happen Cycling UK will continue to work with politicians from every party to make the case for cycling and walking, from conference halls to committee rooms and beyond. But lasting change depends on collective effort. Join Cycling UK today to learn more about how to get
involved, including receiving information on our campaigns and influencing work, as well as ways that you can engage with your elected representatives to support us.
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